Catching up with Pilar Lastra

Pilar Lastra, who grew up in San Antonio and loves to come home to visit her family, is one of the 26 models who hold the briefcases containing the various dollar amounts on NBC’s “Deal or No Deal.”

The 1999 Clark High School graduate is No. 14. She has been with “Deal” since its successful launch in 2005 and is thankful such a hefty audience has stuck with the show.

As even more eyes focus on the game show this week because of its Million Dollar Mission, which continues Wednesday when a California couple has a 50-50 chance of winning the top prize, the former Playboy playmate reflected on her time with host Howie Mandel and the gang.

Q: Have you ever held the $1 million case?

A: Yes, 10 times. But no contestant has ever won the $1 million. … I feel awful when I have to open it and show it to them, when they didn’t choose me first.

Q: The contestants sometimes get very emotional when they win money or have to go home with less than they’d hoped for. Do you get emotional along with them?

A: Yes, if I’m holding the $1 million and someone’s story is particularly touching  especially when the people playing come from nothing and they try to better their lives. Some of the girls cry, but I normally don’t; I’m not a big crybaby.”

Q: What’s the hardest part of the job?

A: Well, it’s definitely not the toughest one out there. However, our feet kill us. The cuter the shoes, the more uncomfortable we are. We work 12 hours a day  tape two shows a day  so we’re on our feet a lot.

Q: What’s your remedy? How do you relax?

A: After tapings, I get a full body massage.

Q: How did the writer’s strike affect a non-scripted show like yours?

A: We taped even more of them. While a season consists of usually 22 episodes, this season, we’re doing between 40 to 60 episodes.

Q: Who are some of your biggest fans?

A: People in the military. I love to visit the bases. In January, I went to Fort Sam Houston and visited the troops in the hospital.